Background

The Implementation Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) is made up of d/Deaf or disabled artists and arts workers with experience in the arts, screen, digital games or cultural sectors.

The Advisory Group will provide advice to guide the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of activities under Equity: the Arts and Disability Associated Plan (the Plan).

What will the Advisory Group do?

Over the life of the Plan, the Advisory Group will:

  • shape how we implement the Plan's actions and commitments
  • contribute to how we monitor and report on the Plan's activities
  • help make arts grants more accessible, including how they are assessed
  • provide expertise on issues affecting people with disability.

The Advisory Group will also advise on Priority Actions under the plan. In the first year, these are to:

  • design the Plan's evaluation framework
  • inform the design of a new grant program, the Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot.
  • consult with Creative Australia, Screen Australia and Creative Workplaces to develop new best-practice accessibility guidance with a National Arts and Disability Code of Practice or Guidelines.

We will update this webpage regularly with outcomes of the discussions and the Advisory Groups recommendations, so be sure to check back or subscribe to updates using our contact form.

Meet the Current Advisory Group members

There are 13 members from each state and territory across Australia in the Advisory Group. They have a breadth of experience across the arts, screen and digital games sectors, representing various artforms and career experience.

Advisory Group Members were appointed by OFTA following an Expression of Interest process. The first Expression of Interest closed in May and after an extensive review and selection process, the Advisory Group members were announced by the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts, and Ms Susan Templeman MP, Special Envoy for the Arts on 1 September 2025. You can find a link to the Media Release here.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Advisory Group or the Plan you are welcome to contact us, we will be happy to help.

You can:

We will aim to respond to your email within 3 business days and/or answer your call during regular business hours. You can also leave a message with your contact information so an OFTA staff member can get back to you via phone or email.

FAQs

Why are Advisory Group member positions reserved for people with disability?

The purpose of the Advisory Group is to co-design activities that provide more opportunities for people with disability. We know how important it is for people with disability to give advice about policy that affects them. This is why Advisory Group member positions are reserved for people with disability.

How did you consider diversity across the Advisory Group?

We are committed to making sure the overall composition of the Advisory Group represents the voices of people diverse lived experience of disability. This includes people who have different backgrounds and experiences with disability in the arts, screen and cultural sectors. As much as possible, this will include people of different genders, ages, and locations (including people from rural and regional areas of all states and territories); as well as people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+ and culturally or linguistically diverse.

What type of experience do Advisory Group members have?

The Advisory Group will give advice to Government on arts and disability issues and members are required to have experience in the arts, screen or cultural sectors. Advisory Group members may also have prior experience in co-design, community development or disability advocacy groups.

Are these paid roles?

Yes, Advisory Group member roles are paid roles. Payment rates will include meeting and preparation time and will depend on the length of the meeting.

Are Advisory Group members able to apply for arts and/or screen grants while they are members?

Being on the Advisory Group does not prevent a member being able to apply for, or receive, any other arts and/or screen grants from the Office for the Arts, Creative Australia or Screen Australia.

However, Advisory Group members may not be eligible to apply for opportunities under the Plan where a conflict of interest could happen. An example of this would be if the member is involved in designing the Arts and Screen Employment Pathways Pilot, but also planning to apply for a work placement under the program.